Delaware Valley Tackle

That set screw takes a .035” hex. You’ll have to back it out. If it’s jammed too badly you might be looking at a more involved repair. Contact me directly if you want help

When using heat my rule of thumb is to not heat hotter than I can handle bare handed. Short blasts of heat and keep the source moving. Heat gun works fine if you’re paying attention at all.

This is 100% nonsense. There is no oil “made for fishing reels “ they’re all repurposed products. A low viscosity oil with anti corrosion additives is all you need regardless of labeling. Something that comes in a needle oiler is handy. Main thing is to use something. Don’t overthink this.

Yes strongly

Definitely a good idea immediately after salt or brackish water use. Not a replacement for regular deep cleaning but interim service is a good idea.

Well said.

I don’t see Lews as taking ABUs place. Lews had a nice niche for themselves as good quality reels at very competitive prices, due largely to their modest marketing budget. The new ownership has gone 180 in the other direction with heavy marketing, sponsorship etc and merely joined ABU in that space.

Not all designs allow for thicker drag stacks. I’d start with a Carbontex upgrade. As for spring washers new ones might make a slight difference but it won’t be night and day. If you’re spooled with braid make sure it’s not slipping.

Could be any one of a number of versions. Google is your friend. Compare any schematic carefully with the reel to be sure you’re using the right one. If you want to send it in I’ll go through it for you. Just let me know

For a newbie it’s hard to beat a set of American Tackle Microwave spinning guides. The setup is spelled out for you, price is reasonable and results excellent. Closest thing to a no brainer. Rod building thread and epoxy are worth the cost. You’ll close to $50 with shipping but the results will be better than a $50 rod off the shelf.

A QUALITY multi piece rod is just as good as an equivalent 1piece.

There was shimano castaic I believe that had the flip up hood.

Imo the biggest advantage of bearing upgrades is ease of casting resulting in improved accuracy. Some ancillary gains in distance are usually noticed too. The benefit of bearing upgrades should always be measured against properly flushed and oiled stock bearings.

A regular 3x10x4 bearing won’t fit in those as bulldog points out. Good results can be had super tuning those reels including inside bushing surfaces and level wind parts.

It’s the thought that counts!

I feel your pain

I’ll have a booth at the Adirondack Outdoor Show in Johnstown NY this weekend. Stop by and say hello.

Everyone is treated special here! Lol send at your convenience including a copy of the work order form from the website. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks

Citicas are workhorse reels well worth maintaining imo. Send whatever you have at your convenience. As for the grease, the shear amount used doesn’t mean much of anything.

A single felt washer isn’t unheard of. It’s sufficient for a freshwater reel that size. That said, I prefer to swap out felt for Carbontex no matter how many there are. Good call.

Brakes on a reel are to manage backlash not so much casting distance. Distance is affected by several factors including but not limited to, rod, line, bait, skill etc. id have to see the reel to diagnose any potential mechanical problems

It really depends on where and how you prefer to fish. Road warriors 3 rod starter suggestion of MF spin, MHF cast and MHMod cast then either a Hvy fast or ML XF on either end is one way to go.

I’m right handed and primarily use left hand reels. Where I depart from the OP is the use of words like should, better, right or wrong. Its 💯 personal preference.

The service or rather the lack of it far overrides any potential quality or performance advantage they MIGHT have. I only use them if the client obtains the blank because I don’t want the blowback. The supply chain issues we encountered during Covid kind of got us used to waiting for merchandise. In the aftermath some companies are using that to get away with manufacturing on order instead of keeping inventory. They’re just not tying up their cash in inventory. It’s good business if you can get away with it. NFC pushes it to the limit and compounds the problem with poor communication to put it lightly.

Dual supported pinions are a nice feature, however I don’t think they by themselves create a smoother feel or ensure longer life. Overall quality and tolerances have as much or more affect. Shimano Core is a good example.